- 抑制；控制：
He couldn't hold back his anger.
他再也控制不住他的怒火。
She held back her tears.
她强忍着没让眼泪流出来。
- 阻挡，阻止，阻碍：
What held you back to take a week's holiday?
是什么阻止了你没休完一周的假?
You must try to hold back German attack.
你必须设法阻止住德军的进攻。
- 犹豫不定；畏缩不前：
I held back not knowing his real intention.
我有点犹豫不定，不知道他的真正意图是什么。
Hold natural and graceful, don't hold back before the guests.
在客人面前要落落大方，不要畏惧退缩不敢见人。
- 耽误，延误，推迟：
He's a hard man, nothing could hold him back to come to the club in time.
他是一个古板墨守成规的家伙，什么也不会延误他准时到达俱乐部的。
I'm sorry to say I have to hold the ball back for half an hour, Princess Diana will join us.
很抱歉，我必须把舞会开始的时间推迟半个小时，黛安娜公主要来参加我们的舞会。
- 隐瞒；保守(秘密等)；不发表(消息等)：
I held nothing back, I told you all about it.
我什么也不瞒你，我把一切全说出来了。
I dare say that he was holding something back from us.
我敢说，他有些事瞒着我们。